Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair.

"Comfy," she said. Winked.

Oh. My. Swearword.

Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you."

"You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only ...